10BBL Conical Beer Fermentation Tank

A 10BBL conical fermenter is a workhorse size for many craft breweries. It fits a typical 10–15 BBL brewhouse and allows you to ferment a full batch in a single vessel. If you are stepping up from 5–7 BBL or adding capacity, this tank often hits the sweet spot between floor space and throughput.

Our 10BBL unit is built with a side cooling jacket and a 60-degree conical bottom. The cone helps with yeast collection and trub removal, and it makes dumping easier without disturbing the beer. The side jacket provides enough cooling surface to crash from 68°F to 34°F in a reasonable time, provided your glycol system is sized correctly. For ales, lagers, or hybrid styles, temperature control is not optional — it is the difference between consistent batches and unpredictable ones.

Materials and Fabrication

We use SUS304 stainless steel for the body, cone, and jacket. For most craft beer production, 304 is the right balance of corrosion resistance, weldability, and cost. If you are brewing sours or working with high-chloride water, 316L is a better choice, and we can quote that as an option.

The tank is TIG welded with full penetration on product-contact seams, then pickled and passivated. Interior surfaces are polished to a sanitary finish — typically 2B or better on the shell, with a smoother finish near the cone and manway. Exterior is brushed or mirror-polished depending on your preference. We install a 1.5-inch tri-clamp racking arm, a dry-hop port, and a CIP spray ball as standard. The manway is a top-mounted oval door with a food-grade gasket.

Cooling Jacket and Pressure

The side cooling jacket is dimpled for efficient heat transfer. It is rated for 14.5 PSI working pressure on the glycol side. The tank itself is rated for 15 PSI working pressure and tested at 30 PSI. A pressure relief valve is mandatory — never operate the tank without one. The valve protects against overpressure during fermentation or cleaning.

Applications

This tank suits craft breweries, brewpubs, and contract brewing operations. It works for ales, lagers, stouts, and most clean beers. If you are producing heavily dry-hopped IPAs, the cone and racking arm help reduce hop carryover. For lagers, the jacket and a properly sized glycol chiller will hold 34°F for extended conditioning.

Specifications

FAQ

What glycol chiller size do I need for one 10BBL tank? A 1.5–2 HP chiller is usually sufficient for a single tank, but if you plan to add more tanks, size the chiller for the total load. We can help you calculate.

Can I use this tank for both ales and lagers? Yes. The side jacket and cone design work for both. For lagers, you will need tighter temperature control and possibly a larger chiller.

Is 304 stainless enough for sour beers? 304 handles most clean beers well. For long-term sour production or high-chloride environments, we recommend 316L.

How do I clean the tank? Use a CIP spray ball with caustic and acid cycles. The cone and racking arm should be disassembled and cleaned manually on a regular schedule.

What information do you need to quote the right configuration? Tell us your batch size, beer type, number of fermentation tanks and available space. We can recommend the tank volume, cooling area and configuration for your brewery.